In case you cannot tell by the title, yes I actually made it somewhere in Europe that is not Italy. I know we're all flabbergasted, but truthfully we have to thank little one for studying abroad in Spain and forcing me to get out of my comfort zone. I will be the first to admit …
Author: Julia Fiorio
BIA: Back In Action
Dear Blog, Long time no talk. I'm sure that you have missed me. Lots has happened in my life since I last wrote. I have celebrated my one year anniversary as a working adult (lets be real though...not much celebrating going on haha). I have a wonderful kitty who has 100% stolen my heart. I …
Once you’ve hit 3 countries, it’s officially a EURO TRIP!
It's official: I am in the midst of my first ever Euro Trip. What exactly is a Euro Trip? Quite simply, it is a vacation where you visit three or more European countries before heading home (Source = Julia Fiorio). Thanks to San Marino, I am now a European traveller. Wooo! Wait...San Marino? That's right. …
Continue reading Once you’ve hit 3 countries, it’s officially a EURO TRIP!
Florence: Home Sweet Home (August 28-31)
When I first stepped off the train in Florence I was grinning bigger than the Cheshire Cat. It didn't matter that I was hot and sweaty or that I still had to carry all my luggage for 20 minutes to reach my hotel. All that mattered was that I was back in Florence. In 2011, …
Abruzzo: The Final Countdown (August 25-27)
3...2...1...Abruzzo is officially region #18. Celebration time? While I explored Abruzzo, I stayed in a hotel in Pescara but spent two days visiting Sulmona and Ortona. When I first told people I was going to Abruzzo, I was subjected to everyone's opinions: some good, some bad. (In case you were wondering, Italians aren't always so …
Continue reading Abruzzo: The Final Countdown (August 25-27)
Santa Maria al Bagno: Exploring my Roots
One of the things I love best about Salento is I am always learning new information about my Italian side of the family. After compiling all this information for a while, I think it is safe to say that my grandfather was a rich man. Not just your typical rich person, but the kind of …
Buon Ferragosto: Partying Like a Rockstar (August in Gallipoli)
Ferragosto in Galliopoli is like Spring Break at Panama City Beach. Except the beaches are a lot better, the people are a lot more attractive, and the partying doesn't just last for a week. Let me backtrack for a second here. Ferragosto is a national holiday in Italy. Officially, it is celebrated on August 15th …
Continue reading Buon Ferragosto: Partying Like a Rockstar (August in Gallipoli)
Ancona: 2,400 Years Makes for an Old City (August 12-13)
On my way down south to visit my family, I figured I would stop in Ancona and add another region (Le Marche - #17) to my list. I didn't know what to expect. Every single person I had talked to, and there had been many, told me not to go to Ancona. I wasn't really …
Continue reading Ancona: 2,400 Years Makes for an Old City (August 12-13)
Verona: Family, Love & Music (August 10-11)
We made two mistakes right off the bat in Verona. 1. We should have planned to stay for longer than just one night. 2. I need to learn to communicate better in Italian Let me explain...I have an aunt and a cousin that live in Verona. (And when I say Aunt & cousin, I mean …
Continue reading Verona: Family, Love & Music (August 10-11)
Trieste: Beginnings Aren’t Everything (August 7-9)
We are taught growing up that the beginning of a story is key. Start with an attention grabber that will make people want to read what else you have written. I am officially apologizing to all my elementary and middle school english teachers: I have no exciting beginning to this blog post. However, I hope …
Continue reading Trieste: Beginnings Aren’t Everything (August 7-9)
Taking Little Steps 